School Board Member Objects To Offensive Word On Marker

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MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) — The school board in an Atlanta suburb is reviewing plans for a historic marker after a board member objected to the language used to refer to African-Americans.

At issue is a marker for the all-black Lemon Street School, which operated in Marietta during the era of segregation.

The Marietta Daily Journal reports that the Lemon Street School Heritage Association, which includes former Lemon Street graduates, has worked on the wording for months. The plan was for the school board, which owns the property, to approve the language.

The latest revision says the building was constructed “to accommodate Marietta’s Negro students.”

School board member Stuart Fleming said the new wording is offensive, and the board shouldn’t be involved in a decision that would lead to continued use of the word.